The oral expectorant market has seen considerable growth due to a variety of factors.
• The oral expectorant market has grown steadily in recent years. It will increase from $4.18 billion in 2024 to $4.38 billion in 2025, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%.
This growth is driven by a higher prevalence of respiratory illnesses, increased demand for over-the-counter medications, an aging population, rising pollution levels, greater awareness about respiratory health, and the expansion of pharmaceutical distribution networks.
The oral expectorant market is expected to maintain its strong growth trajectory in upcoming years.
• The oral expectorant market is forecasted to grow to $5.26 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 4.7%.
Growth is attributed to increased R&D investments, rising demand for natural expectorants, regulatory approvals for new products, higher healthcare spending, and innovative marketing. Trends include digital health integration for medication management, sustainable packaging, combination therapies for respiratory symptoms, personalized medicine, and the use of AI and big data in drug development.
The surge in respiratory illnesses is anticipated to drive the growth of the oral expectorant market in the future. Respiratory illnesses usually involve diseases and conditions impacting the respiratory system, inclusive of the lungs, airways, as well as other breathing-related structures. The rise in the number of respiratory illness cases is mainly attributed to air pollution, smoking, respiratory infections, and increased chronic conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Oral expectorants contribute to alleviating symptoms and improving respiratory health for people suffering from these illnesses. They are also beneficial in clearing mucus, aiding in breathing, and supporting overall recovery and wellness. For instance, data released by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) in May 2024 revealed a rise in the prevalence of current asthma among adults age 18 and above in the United States, from 8.4% in 2021 to 8.7% in 2022. Similarly, the occurrence of asthma episodes in the past 12 months for adults in this age group also surged from 3.3% in 2021 to 3.7% in 2022. Moreover, an article published by The Lancet in September 2022 stated that there were 11,255 new cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causing respiratory illnesses recorded in the summer of 2021, marking a 9.50% surge in contrast to the 10,280 cases in the winter of 2020–21. Hence, an increase in the number of corporate travelers is observed to be propelling the growth of the oral expectorant market.
The oral expectorant market covered in this report is segmented –
1) By Drug Type: Secretion Enhancer, Mucolytics
2) By Dosage Form: Oral Solids, Oral Liquids, Inhalants
3) By Medication: Prescription drugs, Over The Counter Drugs
4) By Distribution Channel: Hospital Pharmacy, Retail Store And Drug Store, Online Pharmacies
Subsegments:
1) By Secretion Enhancer: Guaifenesin, Potassium Iodide
2) By Mucolytics: Acetylcysteine, Bromhexine, Carbocisteine
Key players in the oral expectorant market are turning to clean components such as organic blueberry flavor in a bid to appeal to health-focused customers and fulfill the increasing demand for natural products. Essentially, an organic blueberry-flavored expectorant is a therapeutic concoction crafted to alleviate the respiratory tract of mucus build-up, with a natural blueberry flavor enhancing its taste and attractiveness. For example, Genexa Inc., a clean medicine firm based in the U.S, rolled out a new product for treating coughs and chest congestion in adults in November 2022. The medicine boasts a natural blueberry flavor, offering a tastier alternative for consumers. This innovative product represents Genexa's first introduction of a maximum-strength cough suppressant and expectorant, conceived with the goal of managing coughs, easing chest congestion, and aiding in thinning and loosening mucus. The formulation swaps out artificial and inactive ingredients ordinarily used by leading brands in favor of a cleaner option. The introduction of this product positions to offer consumers improved solutions for the cold and flu season whilst simultaneously alleviating concerns over the use of artificial ingredients in medications.
Major companies operating in the oral expectorant market are:
• Bayer AG
• Sanofi S.A.
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
• Abbott Laboratories Ltd
• Novartis AG
• Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
• GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) plc
• Merck KGaA
• Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC
• Viatris Inc.
• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
• AstraZeneca plc
• Aurobindo Pharma
• Cipla Inc.
• Dr. Reddy's Laboratories
• Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC
• C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG And Co. KG
• Lupin Pharmaceuticals
• Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
• Perrigo Company plc
• Biocon India Private Limited
• Cadila Healthcare Ltd.
• Wockhardt Ltd
• Genexa Inc.
North America was the largest region in the oral expectorant market in 2024. The regions covered in the oral expectorant market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.